Most correction fluid addicts are students, finds PGI study

Correction fluid (inhalant addicts) addicts are mostly students belonging to middle socio-economic class families. A recent study conducted by the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has found.

The study titled “Profile of inhalant users seeking treatment at a de-addiction centre in north India” was carried out by the institute’s psychiatry department and published in the May issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research. It was based on the records of 92 treatment seekers for inhalant addiction at the institute’s Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre over 10 years (2002-2011).

Under the study, the case files were reviewed and relevant data was collected and analysed. The study found that the principal sources of inhalant abuse were the commonly available substances such as typewriter correction fluids, and majority of subjects initiated it out of curiosity. Many of the addicts also used some other substance of abuse in addition, tobacco being the most common, the study observed. About half of the addicts were students (50.6%).

The most common inhalant used was typewriter correction fluid (73.6%), followed by typewriter diluent fluid (19.5%) and glue (6.9%). The mean age of onset of inhalant use was 16.3 years. The study also found that the most common reason for inistabilised at 1-3% of new cases annually. Of the cases studied, all were males with a mean age of 18.9 years, and mean family income 7,676.Peer pressure

Frustration tiation was curiosity. “It needs to be recognised as a public health problem in India that requires specific interventions. Early intervention starting at primary school level might help to a significant degree in reducing the burden of dependence later on. Adequate training needs be imparted to clinicians to develop skills to identify and treat,” the report adds.

According to experts, inhalants are substances whose chemical vapours are inhaled to produce euphoric, disinhibiting and exciting effects.